Symptoms
• Dishwasher does not fill with water or fills very slowly
• Wash cycle stops prematurely or fails to complete
• Dishes come out unwashed or only partially cleaned
• E21 error code displays on the control panel
• Dishwasher may beep or pause mid-cycle
• Water may trickle into the tub rather than flow normally
• Error appears on both 300, 500, 800, and Benchmark series models
Possible Causes
• Kinked, bent, or pinched inlet hose restricting water flow
• Water inlet valve stuck closed or partially clogged with mineral deposits
• Low home water pressure below 20 psi (common in some US municipalities)
• Clogged inlet screen filter in the water valve inlet
• Main water supply valve turned off or partially closed
• Faulty water inlet solenoid valve requiring replacement
• Failed fill valve preventing proper water admission
• Corroded or frozen inlet valve due to hard water (common in many US regions)
• Control board not sending proper signal to inlet valve
• Defective water level sensor misreporting fill status
Safety Checks You Can Do
• Check that the home main water supply valve (usually located under the kitchen sink or in the basement) is fully turned on
• Verify your home's water pressure is adequate (20-116 psi is standard for US homes); call your local water utility if you suspect low pressure
• Inspect the inlet hose behind the dishwasher for kinks, bends, or crushing—straighten if bent
• Disconnect the inlet hose at the back of the dishwasher and check for visible debris or mineral buildup in the hose
• Run water from your kitchen faucet to confirm adequate water flow and pressure throughout your home
• Check that your home circuit breaker controlling the dishwasher has not tripped; reset if necessary
• Ensure the dishwasher door is closing completely and latching properly, as incomplete latching can trigger inlet errors
• Verify that the detergent dispenser door closes properly and is not obstructing the fill valve area
• Power cycle the dishwasher by turning it off for 5 minutes, then turning it back on
• Run a short test cycle (rinse only cycle if available) to see if water flows before attempting a full wash
• Listen for a clicking sound near the water inlet valve area when the cycle starts—absence may indicate valve failure
Safety First
Always disconnect the appliance from power before performing any checks. If you are unsure about any step, please contact a qualified technician.